Contents

History

On May 6, 2009, the Land Transport Authority announced that Kawasaki Heavy Industries and CSR Qingdao Sifang had won over Hyundai Rotem, Bombardier Transportation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to secure the contract at a cost of S$369 million, despite Hyundai Rotem offering the lowest bid at S$323 million for the order of 22 trainsets. CSR Sifang handled the manufacturing and testing of the rolling stock, while Kawasaki oversaw the project and design. The C151A contract was the first successful joint venture between these two companies in the international market.[1]

In 2013, a further order of 13 trainsets was placed and as of 2014, all 35 trainsets have been officially put into revenue service.[2]

On 5 July 2016, an investigative news report from FactWire alleged that C151A trainsets were being shipped back to Qingdao for rectification due to multiple defects, including an exploding battery and cracks on trains, but without notifying the public beforehand. The Land Transport Authority acknowledged the trains were returned for rectification works, and have since published official statements to address FactWire's specific allegations.